David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 60
December 27, 2015
Writing - Castled
Castling is a defensive move in chess intended to protect the king. The king moves 2 places towards the corner and the castle is moved to the opposite side of the king.
Synopsis
In this the 5th Steele novel Patrick tackles the person who has been surreptitiously dogging his footsteps over a number of his adventures. This is not without risk and the focus of his love, Naomi Kobayashi, disappears which seriously affects his ability to function as well as he can. We also find out more about the man himself. The adventure takes him to Eire, France, the USA before he returns to resolve the issue in the UK. Will Patrick finally rid himself of a deadly enemy? Can our hero rescue his love or is it already too late? Another Patrick Steele adventure filled with tension and action as well as the support provided by the team he has developed over the years.
This book is FREE via https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/444641 for a day.
God Bless
Synopsis
In this the 5th Steele novel Patrick tackles the person who has been surreptitiously dogging his footsteps over a number of his adventures. This is not without risk and the focus of his love, Naomi Kobayashi, disappears which seriously affects his ability to function as well as he can. We also find out more about the man himself. The adventure takes him to Eire, France, the USA before he returns to resolve the issue in the UK. Will Patrick finally rid himself of a deadly enemy? Can our hero rescue his love or is it already too late? Another Patrick Steele adventure filled with tension and action as well as the support provided by the team he has developed over the years.
This book is FREE via https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/444641 for a day.
God Bless
December 26, 2015
Writing - Into the void and Agatha
I watched a little of Michael McIntyre's comedy show last evening - Happy Christmas by the way - and he began with the day and went on to the space between Christmas and New Year.
[image error]
There is an undoubted void between the two celebrations particularly if you don't shop. There is a confusion between what day it is, are shops open, will post be delivered and more.
Some places of work close for two weeks nowadays, others never close at all. I've worked every day except for Christmas Day while working at the bank. It was almost as if the bank were terrified they'd miss a sale. I worked on several New Years Days and it was a waste of my time and company money.
Of course it does vary year on year and depending upon the day of the week on which the holiday falls. This year with it being Friday we have one long weekend for Christmas then it seems to peter out.
What I find there is to fill the time is lots of reading. I found some interesting facts about one of the UK's greatest authors. I usually produce 10 facts about the news but this week it is all about Agatha.
[image error]
1. Christie was a surfing pioneerThrough her marriage to Archibald Christie and his job promoting the British Empire Exhibition, the couple were able to travel the world - and recent research has uncovered that Archie and Agatha may have been among the first Europeans to learn the art of surfing standing up. Agatha became skilled at body-boarding in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and in Hawaii she and Archie learned to ride the waves while standing on the board.
2.
She had a penchant for poisonEarly in the First World War Christie worked with the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) and later in the dispensary of the local hospital, where she completed the examination of the Society of Apothecaries and acquired an interest in and knowledge of poisons.
3.
Her husband was suspected of murdering her1926 saw both highlights and heartache for Christie. She became a household name with the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd but she lost her mother that year and her husband revealed he was in love with his golfing partner, Nancy Neele. The result was an intriguing 11-day disappearance. Suffering from amnesia, Christie had signed herself into the Harrogate Hydropathic Hotel, where she registered as Teresa Neele. Police and bloodhounds searched for her. Colonel Christie was suspected of murdering her and only when a member of the hotel band recognised her and reported it was Agatha considered safe. She never recovered her memory from that time. Agatha divorced Archie Christie in 1928.4. Best-selling female writer everAnd Then There Were None is the best-selling crime novel of all time, with over 100 million copies sold across the globe. And with global sales of all her books totalling somewhere between two and four billion, Christie is one of the best-selling authors ever - beaten only by William Shakespeare.
5.
She really dug photographyChristie married archaeologist Max Mallowan in September 1930 and became his artefact photographer on his many digs in Syria and Iraq.
6.
Christie rose to a challengeShe’d begun writing detective stories in response to a bet by her sister Madge that she couldn’t do it.
7.
She killed Poirot, then put him in a safe…By the late 1930s Christie had begun to find Poirot "rather insufferable" and in 1940 she killed him off in the story Curtains. Persuaded against this by family, friends and her publisher she placed the manuscript in a safe and carried on writing the character until 1975, when the story was finally published. Hercule Poirot received an obituary in the New York Times.
8.
For the love of dogsShe loved dogs, usually a terrier of some sort. Her first was called George Washington, but her favourite was a short-haired terrier called Peter who starred in Dumb Witness under the name of Bob.
9.
She was humble and graciousAccording to her family, Christie initially refused a damehood and only accepted after Max was knighted for his services to archaeology.
10.
Christie didn’t have a formal educationAlthough her brother and sister were sent away to school and she was sent to finishing schools in France, Christie taught herself to read at five, and educated herself from her father’s library.
God Bless
[image error]
There is an undoubted void between the two celebrations particularly if you don't shop. There is a confusion between what day it is, are shops open, will post be delivered and more.
Some places of work close for two weeks nowadays, others never close at all. I've worked every day except for Christmas Day while working at the bank. It was almost as if the bank were terrified they'd miss a sale. I worked on several New Years Days and it was a waste of my time and company money.
Of course it does vary year on year and depending upon the day of the week on which the holiday falls. This year with it being Friday we have one long weekend for Christmas then it seems to peter out.
What I find there is to fill the time is lots of reading. I found some interesting facts about one of the UK's greatest authors. I usually produce 10 facts about the news but this week it is all about Agatha.
[image error]
1. Christie was a surfing pioneerThrough her marriage to Archibald Christie and his job promoting the British Empire Exhibition, the couple were able to travel the world - and recent research has uncovered that Archie and Agatha may have been among the first Europeans to learn the art of surfing standing up. Agatha became skilled at body-boarding in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and in Hawaii she and Archie learned to ride the waves while standing on the board.
2.
She had a penchant for poisonEarly in the First World War Christie worked with the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) and later in the dispensary of the local hospital, where she completed the examination of the Society of Apothecaries and acquired an interest in and knowledge of poisons.
3.
Her husband was suspected of murdering her1926 saw both highlights and heartache for Christie. She became a household name with the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd but she lost her mother that year and her husband revealed he was in love with his golfing partner, Nancy Neele. The result was an intriguing 11-day disappearance. Suffering from amnesia, Christie had signed herself into the Harrogate Hydropathic Hotel, where she registered as Teresa Neele. Police and bloodhounds searched for her. Colonel Christie was suspected of murdering her and only when a member of the hotel band recognised her and reported it was Agatha considered safe. She never recovered her memory from that time. Agatha divorced Archie Christie in 1928.4. Best-selling female writer everAnd Then There Were None is the best-selling crime novel of all time, with over 100 million copies sold across the globe. And with global sales of all her books totalling somewhere between two and four billion, Christie is one of the best-selling authors ever - beaten only by William Shakespeare.
5.
She really dug photographyChristie married archaeologist Max Mallowan in September 1930 and became his artefact photographer on his many digs in Syria and Iraq.
6.
Christie rose to a challengeShe’d begun writing detective stories in response to a bet by her sister Madge that she couldn’t do it.
7.
She killed Poirot, then put him in a safe…By the late 1930s Christie had begun to find Poirot "rather insufferable" and in 1940 she killed him off in the story Curtains. Persuaded against this by family, friends and her publisher she placed the manuscript in a safe and carried on writing the character until 1975, when the story was finally published. Hercule Poirot received an obituary in the New York Times.
8.
For the love of dogsShe loved dogs, usually a terrier of some sort. Her first was called George Washington, but her favourite was a short-haired terrier called Peter who starred in Dumb Witness under the name of Bob.
9.
She was humble and graciousAccording to her family, Christie initially refused a damehood and only accepted after Max was knighted for his services to archaeology.
10.
Christie didn’t have a formal educationAlthough her brother and sister were sent away to school and she was sent to finishing schools in France, Christie taught herself to read at five, and educated herself from her father’s library.
God Bless
December 24, 2015
Writing - Merry Christmas I wish you
Yoda's thoughts at this time of year!
[image error]
It would be difficult talking to the little green guy at this time of year. The rest of us probably talk to many more people than normal but he would spread confusion.
'Merry gentlemen God rest you they do'
' Last looked out King Wenceslas did'
and so on.
As a former family operative I know how difficult it is for the food technicians at this time of the year and so offer you this,
[image error]
Christmas Dinner
Pork, stuffing and apple sauceAll the trimmings as well of courseOver-faced with Christmas puddingAfternoon snooze is in the offing
Friends and family round the tableMum creates as she is ableAll appreciate the festive feastA meal fit to sate the hungriest beast
From rich to poor all will tryTo feed the throng and none will fryTraditional fayre is what’s requiredA test for the culinary aspired
Whatever – no guest will complainThey will find good no matter how plainWhen all is done and the work is overThe later day gives time to recover
Till next year!©David L Atkinson December 2012
Seasons greetings to one and all.
Felice Navidad
Joyeux Noel
Merrii Kurisumasu
[image error]Japanese Santa
God Bless
[image error]
It would be difficult talking to the little green guy at this time of year. The rest of us probably talk to many more people than normal but he would spread confusion.
'Merry gentlemen God rest you they do'
' Last looked out King Wenceslas did'
and so on.
As a former family operative I know how difficult it is for the food technicians at this time of the year and so offer you this,
[image error]
Christmas Dinner
Pork, stuffing and apple sauceAll the trimmings as well of courseOver-faced with Christmas puddingAfternoon snooze is in the offing
Friends and family round the tableMum creates as she is ableAll appreciate the festive feastA meal fit to sate the hungriest beast
From rich to poor all will tryTo feed the throng and none will fryTraditional fayre is what’s requiredA test for the culinary aspired
Whatever – no guest will complainThey will find good no matter how plainWhen all is done and the work is overThe later day gives time to recover
Till next year!©David L Atkinson December 2012
Seasons greetings to one and all.
Felice Navidad
Joyeux Noel
Merrii Kurisumasu
[image error]Japanese Santa
God Bless
December 23, 2015
Poetry Thursday 192 - Thank God for the weirdos
In the 'animal' series of poems I include one of my favourite creatures - the owl.
Owl
Death on silent wings whispers by,searching the Earth with keenest eye,ominous and powerful in the darkness,poised to strike with lethal directness.
Exudes a calmness in the daylight,stares at humans, eye clear and bright,this bird is no common fowl,but the silent and powerful owl.© David L Atkinson December 2015
Inspiration strikes at the most inconvenient moments. The next poem's first two verses were conceived around 02:53 out of a sound sleep.
A Stormy Night
As the green plastic cover flaps its Morse code warning,of the approach of the storm in the early morning,there is a temptation in the inviting darkness,to experience the tongue’s lash on the skin’s nakedness.
Standing in the street while all are sleeping,sure in mind that no-one’s peeping.The spittle strikes exposed, tender skin, driving ice needles deep within.
The tingle of each individual strike,exhilarates the heart with joy child-like.Single reminders that the soul is alive,and that spirit, with the Earth, will survive.© David L Atkinson December 2015
Then of course there are those who write poetry, imagine strange beasts, and generally don't conform.
[image error]
Thank God for Weirdos
Give thanks for the weirdosthe thinkers who imagine the impossible,the man standing alone staring at the stars,the artist seeing a twisted version of life,the musician who discovers the lost chord,the writer producing a confusion of thought,the scientist that sees the unexpected,the person with unaccountable knowledge,the child who survives unimaginable peril,and a carpenter’s son that drew together the whole world.© David L Atkinson December 2015
God Bless
December 22, 2015
Writing - Different viewpoints
The Victorians have a lot to answer for but their views of what we now consider fun figures is weird.
Victorian scary snowmen
No loveable snowmen here. Some of the images are the stuff of nightmares.
Murderous frogs, children boiled in teapots and a mouse riding a lobster are generally not images seen today on Christmas cards. But in Victorian times it was all par for the course.
Mouse riding a lobster for Christmas
But who decides what a Christmassy symbol is anyway?
The first Christmas card was commercially produced by Sir Henry Cole in 1843 but it was not until the 1870s, and the introduction of the halfpenny stamp, that sending cards was affordable for almost everyone. Victorians then leapt upon the idea with alacrity.
It was customary in Victorian times for friends and family to exchange letters in which was included news of the year that had just about passed by. I received a similar missive this year from a friend I went to school with 60 years ago. It is a habit that we've gotten into as a result of living 200 miles away from each other. It takes the form of the blank side of the card, opposite the seasonal message, being filled with news of the past year.I did experience a rather vomit inducing version in which a family I knew published a two page missive outlining the activities of each member of the family over the previous year. They lived round the corner!
Frog on frog murder for Christmas
The above 'Christmas card' is just plain weird. How on earth did anyone tag, 'A Merry Christmas to you' beneath a picture of robbery and murder, as a suitable greeting?
May yours be a joyful Christmas!
That greeting with a dead robin above might accrue more enmity than returned goodwill.
Of course these horror images are more about humour than the real meaning of Christmas as the Victorians, in my view, had the religious side of the holiday firmly planted within the walls of their churches. So the greetings cards were not about the reason for the season but more on having a laugh.
Boiling a child in a teapot. Assaulting a policemanwith a red hot poker.
In all honesty, taking Christmas out of the equation, they are all still pretty weird.
God Bless
December 21, 2015
Tuesday Food Blog - Food fallacies
Last week I gave you the low down on margarine, this week it's lettuce. Did you know that it is bad for the planet?
[image error]
Lettuce is an annual plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is most
often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and
seeds.
So that is the biology but why is it dangerous?
According to research from the Carnegie Mellon University saving
the planet may not be best achieved by eating a meat free diet.
[image error]BLT
It seems that it is all down to emissions. The three elements that were compared are energy use, water footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.'What is best for the body may not be best for the planet,' the researchers concluded.In fact the researchers reckoned that lettuce was three times worse than bacon.The study examined the environmental impact by shifting the average American diet to three dietary scenarios. In the first scenario, researchers reduced the number of calories consumed but maintained the proportion of meat and vegetables consumed, which cut emissions, water and energy use by 9 percent.In the second scenario, researchers maintained calorie intake but shifted completely to “healthy” foods (as prescribed by USDA dietary guidelines). This increased energy use by 43 percent, water footprint by 16 percent, and emissions by 11 percent.In the third scenario, calorie intake was reduced and diet was made healthier by drastically reducing meat consumption. The result was 38 percent increased energy use, 10 percent more water, and 6 percent more emissions.These findings go against the recent call to reduce meat consumption in order to combat climate change. Various studies cite different numbers for the emissions linked to animal agriculture, but some claim it’s as high as 51 percent.[image error]Of course the study takes into consideration all the stages of food production and the energy and water used, as well as the emissions caused by producing different food types.
In fact, like all reporting, there are things missing from the report and those facts are important but that isn't my point. It is the reporting and misrepresentation that we are all subject to by the media for a plethora of reasons. As in all studying it is important to garner information from a variety of sources to increase the accuracy of your report.
Other food myths
1.
[image error]
For years we were told that eggs were bad for us because they were high in cholesterol.WRONG - only 25% of cholesterol comes from food the rest is manufactured by the liver. It is the saturated fats in the food we eat the stimulates the production of cholesterol which eggs are very low in. They also contain lots of useful nutrients.
2.
[image error]
In the 1970s there were some studies linking coffee with cancer. The research was repeated years later, using superior methods and a larger sample of people and and NO LINK was found.
3.
[image error]
There was a piece of work that reported drinking a glass of red wine each day would help stave off heart disease. In fact sipping small amounts of any alcohol has beneficial effects as it has anti-inflammatory qualities, helps in the production of good HDL cholesterol, and may even slow the ageing process.
There are lots of such examples and research will turn them up. It makes me wonder why so much is spent on food research that frequently turns up contradictory results.
God Bless
[image error]
Lettuce is an annual plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is most
often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and
seeds.
So that is the biology but why is it dangerous?
According to research from the Carnegie Mellon University saving
the planet may not be best achieved by eating a meat free diet.
[image error]BLT
It seems that it is all down to emissions. The three elements that were compared are energy use, water footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.'What is best for the body may not be best for the planet,' the researchers concluded.In fact the researchers reckoned that lettuce was three times worse than bacon.The study examined the environmental impact by shifting the average American diet to three dietary scenarios. In the first scenario, researchers reduced the number of calories consumed but maintained the proportion of meat and vegetables consumed, which cut emissions, water and energy use by 9 percent.In the second scenario, researchers maintained calorie intake but shifted completely to “healthy” foods (as prescribed by USDA dietary guidelines). This increased energy use by 43 percent, water footprint by 16 percent, and emissions by 11 percent.In the third scenario, calorie intake was reduced and diet was made healthier by drastically reducing meat consumption. The result was 38 percent increased energy use, 10 percent more water, and 6 percent more emissions.These findings go against the recent call to reduce meat consumption in order to combat climate change. Various studies cite different numbers for the emissions linked to animal agriculture, but some claim it’s as high as 51 percent.[image error]Of course the study takes into consideration all the stages of food production and the energy and water used, as well as the emissions caused by producing different food types.
In fact, like all reporting, there are things missing from the report and those facts are important but that isn't my point. It is the reporting and misrepresentation that we are all subject to by the media for a plethora of reasons. As in all studying it is important to garner information from a variety of sources to increase the accuracy of your report.
Other food myths
1.
[image error]
For years we were told that eggs were bad for us because they were high in cholesterol.WRONG - only 25% of cholesterol comes from food the rest is manufactured by the liver. It is the saturated fats in the food we eat the stimulates the production of cholesterol which eggs are very low in. They also contain lots of useful nutrients.
2.
[image error]
In the 1970s there were some studies linking coffee with cancer. The research was repeated years later, using superior methods and a larger sample of people and and NO LINK was found.
3.
[image error]
There was a piece of work that reported drinking a glass of red wine each day would help stave off heart disease. In fact sipping small amounts of any alcohol has beneficial effects as it has anti-inflammatory qualities, helps in the production of good HDL cholesterol, and may even slow the ageing process.
There are lots of such examples and research will turn them up. It makes me wonder why so much is spent on food research that frequently turns up contradictory results.
God Bless
December 20, 2015
Writing - It belongs to you
It is the beginning of Christmas week. In a fortnight we will be in the year 2016 and the build up and fuss, which is principally commercial, will be over.
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I was described this morning as 'prolific' and that is is part due to the fact that I blog daily but on more longer term projects I am also busy. Today I will be carrying out a first. I am reading one of my sonnets to the congregation in church at our carol concert. I am nervous. I have sung in shows and great halls but still this is different. It is me, the creator of the work, presenting it which has consequences.
[image error]
Christmas
Wise Magi followed a bright shining starYoung children pray for dazzling new presentsHis influence spread to lands near and farAll on one event – a male child’s nascence
What is this all-pervading influence?Why are the nations drawn to his caring?A joiner of no great significancegenerated great feelings of sharing.
Should we just accept our great good luck?Lead our lives as He would want us toShould we question the tales from the book?Or follow the teachings as He would do
The beauty of Christmas – simplicityThe message followed with humility. ©David L Atkinson December 2012
The reason for the nervousness stems from the fact that I'm owning up to my words. This is a subject that has cropped up more than once in the last couple of days. I was told yesterday that I have the words to express my artistic side, for which I'm very grateful; and again today, I was indirectly complimented on the words that I produce.
That's great ... but!
There's always a 'but' with me and it stems from a lack of self-belief. The vicar picked the above sonnet for me to read because it fits with the theme of the service, but that little voice in my head is constantly nagging that it isn't good enough.
Don't worry I'm not touting for praise, but I want to know that what I do is good enough to be heard in public.
Then you hear the words of others, the stories and poetry and sometimes you don't like what is dished up. That is the risk. So to the decriers I say please keep your council.
The bottom line of course is that every word produced by me over the last few years are mine, driven by my experiences and my character. They may not be of great commercial value but they are mine and what the people will here this evening is from part of me. If what I produce isn't liked then I will either hear nothing or not be asked to repeat the exercise - only time will tell.
God Bless
[image error]
I was described this morning as 'prolific' and that is is part due to the fact that I blog daily but on more longer term projects I am also busy. Today I will be carrying out a first. I am reading one of my sonnets to the congregation in church at our carol concert. I am nervous. I have sung in shows and great halls but still this is different. It is me, the creator of the work, presenting it which has consequences.
[image error]
Christmas
Wise Magi followed a bright shining starYoung children pray for dazzling new presentsHis influence spread to lands near and farAll on one event – a male child’s nascence
What is this all-pervading influence?Why are the nations drawn to his caring?A joiner of no great significancegenerated great feelings of sharing.
Should we just accept our great good luck?Lead our lives as He would want us toShould we question the tales from the book?Or follow the teachings as He would do
The beauty of Christmas – simplicityThe message followed with humility. ©David L Atkinson December 2012
The reason for the nervousness stems from the fact that I'm owning up to my words. This is a subject that has cropped up more than once in the last couple of days. I was told yesterday that I have the words to express my artistic side, for which I'm very grateful; and again today, I was indirectly complimented on the words that I produce.
That's great ... but!
There's always a 'but' with me and it stems from a lack of self-belief. The vicar picked the above sonnet for me to read because it fits with the theme of the service, but that little voice in my head is constantly nagging that it isn't good enough.
Don't worry I'm not touting for praise, but I want to know that what I do is good enough to be heard in public.
Then you hear the words of others, the stories and poetry and sometimes you don't like what is dished up. That is the risk. So to the decriers I say please keep your council.
The bottom line of course is that every word produced by me over the last few years are mine, driven by my experiences and my character. They may not be of great commercial value but they are mine and what the people will here this evening is from part of me. If what I produce isn't liked then I will either hear nothing or not be asked to repeat the exercise - only time will tell.
God Bless
December 19, 2015
Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week
A fun week with bed swallowing, swearing ex-billionaires
[image error]
1. People who swear have larger vocabularies.
Whoever did this research hadn't spoken to a Newcastle Utd football supporter. They say a lot of words but with little variety.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
2. It's possible to trick the brain into thinking it can hear Mariah Carey sing All I Want For Christmas Is You.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
3. Most people who were dollar billionaires in 1995 aren't billionaires any more.
Somehow I just can't muster up any sympathy!!!!
-----------------------------------
4. The European Space Agency has only ever held three recruitment rounds - in 1978, 1992 and 2008.
Is this news?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
5. People asked Google "What is 0 divided by 0?" in 2015 more than "What is Isis?"
Looking for similarities I've no doubt.
-----------------------------------
6. The average American has 7.31 missing teeth, while the equivalent English person has 6.97.
0.34 of a tooth difference - is that a filling?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
7. You can buy a bed that will swallow you in the event of an earthquake.
Hope you're not claustrophobic.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
8. Lettuce requires three times the emissions per calorie to produce as bacon.
I knew that I am a salad for a reason.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
9. Among the USA's 1,000 most senior medical academics, there are more moustaches than women.
In a country that produced Bushes and Trumps why am I not surprised?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
10. There have been 727 references to Bob Dylan in scientific papers published since the 1970s.
So he is of special scientific interest.
-----------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. People who swear have larger vocabularies.
Whoever did this research hadn't spoken to a Newcastle Utd football supporter. They say a lot of words but with little variety.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
2. It's possible to trick the brain into thinking it can hear Mariah Carey sing All I Want For Christmas Is You.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
3. Most people who were dollar billionaires in 1995 aren't billionaires any more.
Somehow I just can't muster up any sympathy!!!!
-----------------------------------
4. The European Space Agency has only ever held three recruitment rounds - in 1978, 1992 and 2008.
Is this news?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
5. People asked Google "What is 0 divided by 0?" in 2015 more than "What is Isis?"
Looking for similarities I've no doubt.
-----------------------------------
6. The average American has 7.31 missing teeth, while the equivalent English person has 6.97.
0.34 of a tooth difference - is that a filling?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
7. You can buy a bed that will swallow you in the event of an earthquake.
Hope you're not claustrophobic.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
8. Lettuce requires three times the emissions per calorie to produce as bacon.
I knew that I am a salad for a reason.
-----------------------------------
[image error]
9. Among the USA's 1,000 most senior medical academics, there are more moustaches than women.
In a country that produced Bushes and Trumps why am I not surprised?
-----------------------------------
[image error]
10. There have been 727 references to Bob Dylan in scientific papers published since the 1970s.
So he is of special scientific interest.
-----------------------------------
God Bless
December 18, 2015
Writing - Review, LIKE - please just signify
I saw a mock up of a Christmas present earlier this week which simply said something like - Give an author all they want and REVIEW. In the past I've often said that I don't like reading reviews and the reasons behind that are purely personal, however, I can see that it is probably the best way forward in boosting sales.
[image error]
I have some reviews on some books and yet I know people have bought all of my books and some of them haven't left a written review. I can see the same thing happening with Flight into Secrecy even though a number of people have bought the book and several have downloaded sections to read. In an effort to spur you on I report a true quote from someone who purchased the new book,
' ... fantastic - it really makes you think ... '
The first time that adjective has been applied to one of my works but sadly I don't know whether it will make it into those places that will attract more readers to dip their toes into Atkinson's waters.
I am also aware that reviewing on amazon.com doesn't make it to amazon.co.uk and vice versa, I have copied reviews from one to the other to assist fellow authors.
LIKE - found on numerous sites is easy enough to click on if that is the extent of a positive message you wish to convey.
It is worth reminding people that this is not only a fictional story linked to a true story but also contains some analysis of the 'facts' released by various governments. Perhaps governments may learn from the mistakes made over MH370 and cooperate with each other when issuing statements concerning such incidents.
The rest of my portfolio is outlined below.
Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
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I have some reviews on some books and yet I know people have bought all of my books and some of them haven't left a written review. I can see the same thing happening with Flight into Secrecy even though a number of people have bought the book and several have downloaded sections to read. In an effort to spur you on I report a true quote from someone who purchased the new book,
' ... fantastic - it really makes you think ... '
The first time that adjective has been applied to one of my works but sadly I don't know whether it will make it into those places that will attract more readers to dip their toes into Atkinson's waters.
I am also aware that reviewing on amazon.com doesn't make it to amazon.co.uk and vice versa, I have copied reviews from one to the other to assist fellow authors.
LIKE - found on numerous sites is easy enough to click on if that is the extent of a positive message you wish to convey.
It is worth reminding people that this is not only a fictional story linked to a true story but also contains some analysis of the 'facts' released by various governments. Perhaps governments may learn from the mistakes made over MH370 and cooperate with each other when issuing statements concerning such incidents.
The rest of my portfolio is outlined below.
Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
December 17, 2015
Writing - Their life in your hands
We write stories and in doing so create people. As we have the power of creation then we also have the opposite.
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I began reading Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta novels a number of years ago and find them compelling, tense and satisfying. You really feel that you know the lead character, Kay Scarpetta, so it is hardly surprising when there is the possibility that the character is going to be written out, that the fans react.
I had a similar reaction just last Sunday when discussing my writing with a friend. After the obligatory back handed compliment I was implored not to stop writing Steele novels. This was in response to the information that I was beginning a historical novel, The Magic Show.When I began writing I envisaged 10 novels but at that time they were all going to be Steele, however, I have already changed that plan and written a futuristic, dystopian novel. Currently, I'm running at 9 Steele novels and Cessation, the dystopian story. The historical story should be completed by the summer if all goes according to plan.
Returning to the writing out of a character, it is undoubtedly, for the creator, as traumatic a step to take as it is for the readers. I had planned to finish the Steele novels after 10 but it all rather depends upon issues that arise in the meantime. Many writers use their stories for social commentary and in that I'm no different. Steele has on more than one occasion provided me the vehicle by which I have expressed opinions on a range of subjects. These have included, people trafficking, USA colonisation and misuse of the CIA, inequality of the class system and government misinformation. They haven't all been 60k+ politically motivated rants, I have my readers to entertain, but there are social comments being made. So for now the ending of Patrick Steele is not in my thoughts.
With regards to Patricia Cornwell ending the Scarpetta stories, she will do what she, as a writer, needs to do.
God Bless
[image error]
I began reading Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta novels a number of years ago and find them compelling, tense and satisfying. You really feel that you know the lead character, Kay Scarpetta, so it is hardly surprising when there is the possibility that the character is going to be written out, that the fans react.
I had a similar reaction just last Sunday when discussing my writing with a friend. After the obligatory back handed compliment I was implored not to stop writing Steele novels. This was in response to the information that I was beginning a historical novel, The Magic Show.When I began writing I envisaged 10 novels but at that time they were all going to be Steele, however, I have already changed that plan and written a futuristic, dystopian novel. Currently, I'm running at 9 Steele novels and Cessation, the dystopian story. The historical story should be completed by the summer if all goes according to plan.
Returning to the writing out of a character, it is undoubtedly, for the creator, as traumatic a step to take as it is for the readers. I had planned to finish the Steele novels after 10 but it all rather depends upon issues that arise in the meantime. Many writers use their stories for social commentary and in that I'm no different. Steele has on more than one occasion provided me the vehicle by which I have expressed opinions on a range of subjects. These have included, people trafficking, USA colonisation and misuse of the CIA, inequality of the class system and government misinformation. They haven't all been 60k+ politically motivated rants, I have my readers to entertain, but there are social comments being made. So for now the ending of Patrick Steele is not in my thoughts.
With regards to Patricia Cornwell ending the Scarpetta stories, she will do what she, as a writer, needs to do.
God Bless
